Batting glove protection device

ABSTRACT

A batting glove protection device includes a substantially flat gripping layer in the outline of a human hand and a set of finger tubes, each finger tube attached to a corresponding finger portion of the gripping layer. The finger tubes are wearable over finger sheaths of the batting glove and can be open-ended on a topside and a bottom side. The batting glove protection device is wearable over a batting glove thereby protecting the batting glove from wear and tear.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to athletic aids and equipment, and more particularly to a device that fits over a batting glove to reduce wear and tear of the batting glove.

BACKGROUND

Although not required, most baseball and softball players wear batting gloves. The main reason for this is that such gloves provide a superior batting grip compared to using only bare hands to hold the bat. Furthermore, batting gloves are useful for damping vibrations, particularly when aluminum bats are used.

Although batting gloves are recognized as being highly useful, they do suffer from a short lifespan. Such gloves can become worn easily. Therefore, it is not unusual for batting gloves to only last a few weeks (sometimes just a few games). While replacing gloves is not a large expense for professional players, such costs can quickly make a dent in the wallets of those who play baseball or softball at the amateur level or just occasionally for fun.

SUMMARY

A batting glove protection device includes a substantially flat gripping layer in the outline of a human hand and a set of finger tubes, each finger tube attached to a corresponding finger portion of the gripping layer. The finger tubes are wearable over finger sheaths of the batting glove and can be open-ended on a top side and a bottom side. The batting glove protection device is wearable over a batting glove thereby protecting the batting glove from wear and tear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example batting glove protection device, according to an example embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of the example batting glove protection device.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the example batting glove protection device being worn over a batting glove.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up diagram depicting a hook-and-loop fastener being used to secure a strap of the batting glove protection device.

FIG. 5 shows the example batting glove protection device worn over a batting glove in use by a batter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments of the disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. The concepts discussed herein may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope to those of ordinary skill in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements but not necessarily the same or identical elements throughout.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an example batting glove protection device 50, according to an example embodiment of the disclosure, is illustrated. As will be described in greater detail, the batting glove protection device 50 is worn over a batting glove to protect the batting glove from excessive wear and tear. Because the batting glove protection device 50 has this purpose, the material chosen should preferably be sufficiently durable. Accordingly, the material used can include leather, synthetic leather, vinyl, linen, etc. Although one such batting glove protection device 50 is illustrated in FIG. 1, it is to be understood that a pair of right-hand and left-hand batting glove protection devices 50 can be provided. Additionally, it is to be understood that the batting glove protection device 50 can be sized to accommodate a particular size or range of sizes of a batting glove. These sizes can include appropriate sizes for adults and/or children, for example. Accordingly, the illustrated batting protection device 50 is not meant to be limiting.

The example batting glove protection device 50 includes a substantially flat gripping layer 25 in the outline of a human hand having associated palm 20, wrist 21, and finger portions 22. The illustrated batting glove protection device 50 is shaped for a right hand so the gripping layer 25 is in the outline of a right hand; however, a batting glove protection device 50 shaped for a left hand would be shaped for a left hand (see FIG. 3). A set of open-ended finger tubes 10-14 is disposed onto corresponding finger portions 22, as shown. The open-ended finger tubes 10-14 can be formed by looping flat pieces onto corresponding finger portions 22, leaving bottom openings 10A-14A and top openings 10B-14B exposed, as shown. The open-ended finger tubes 10-14 can be attached by applying a suitable stitching, adhesive, or heat bond to the marginal edges of each finger tube 10-14. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the open-ended finger tubes could be made integral with the device (e.g., the entire device formed using a single mold). Although the open-ended finger tubes 10-14 have openings on top ends 10B-14B and bottom ends 10A-14A, respectively, it is to be understood that in other embodiments the finger tubes do not have openings in the top ends. In this case, the top ends can be sealed. Furthermore, the example batting glove protection device 50 includes a strap 15 that is laid across the backside of the batting glove so as to attach to member 18 using a suitable fastener, thereby securing the batting glove protection device 50 to the batting glove. It is to be understood that in other embodiments, a strap would not be used. Instead, a continuous wristband or the like could be used. In this case, the wristband might include an elastic band, for example.

Referring to FIG. 2, another perspective view of the example batting glove protection device 50, according to an example embodiment of the disclosure, is illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of the example batting glove protection device 50 being worn over a batting glove 80 is illustrated. The example batting glove protection device 50 shown in FIG. 3 is shaped for a left hand. In use, the player puts on a left batting glove 80 and then slips the finger sheaths 82 of the batting glove 80 through respective finger tubes 10-14 with the user's palm pointed downward (leaving the backside of the batting glove 80 largely uncovered by the batting glove protection device 50). In particular, the thumb sheath of the batting glove is inserted into finger tube 10, the pointing finger sheath of the batting glove is inserted into finger tube 11, the middle finger sheath of the batting glove is inserted into finger tube 12, the ring finger sheath of the batting glove is inserted into finger tube 13, and the pinkie finger sheath of the batting glove is inserted into finger tube 14. Because the open-ended finger tubes 10-14 have top openings 10B-14B, one or more of the finger sheaths 82 may protrude therefrom, as shown. As shown, the strap 15 is folded across the backside of the batting glove 80 such that a free end of the strap 15 overlays the member 18 which is attached or part of the main body of the device. A suitable fastener can be used to secure the strap 15.

Referring to FIG. 4, a close-up diagram depicting the strap 15 of the example batting glove protection device 50 secured using a hook-and-loop fastener 30 to the member 18, according to an example embodiment of the disclosure, is illustrated. As is known in the art, a hook-and-loop fastener includes a first layer 31 having tiny hooks and a second layer 32 has tiny loops, such that the hooks and loops interconnect when the first layer 31 and the second layer 32 are pressed together. Examples of suitable hook-and-loop fasteners are certain fasteners under the brand name VELCRO®. It is to be understood that alternatively the first layer 31 could have the loops and the second layer 32 the hooks. Although a hook-and-loop fastener is depicted in FIG. 4, it is to be understood that another suitable fastener can be used, such as, for example, a button, a snap button, a zipper, a clip, a buckle, etc.

Referring to FIG. 5, the example batting glove protection device 50 is shown worn over a batting glove 80 in use by a batter. As shown, the player has a pair of batting gloves 80 on each hand, and is holding a bat 60 in a batting stance. As illustrated, the batting glove protection device 50 is worn over only the player's left hand batting glove. Although only one such batting glove protection device 50 is shown used, it is to be understood that a pair of batting glove protection devices 50 could be employed (one over each batting glove 80). Additionally, although the batting glove protection device 50 is disclosed as being used during batting, it is to be understood that the batting glove protection device 50 could be used during other aspects of the game, particularly while the player is in a fielding position. For example, some players prefer to wear batting gloves under their mitts. In this case, the player can wear the batting glove protection device 50 over the batting glove 80 while the batting glove 80 is inserted in the mitt.

Although the features, functions, components, and parts have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is generally intended to convey that certain implementations could include, while other implementations do not include, certain features, elements, and/or operations. Thus, such conditional language generally is not intended to imply that features, elements, and/or operations are in any way required for one or more implementations or that one or more implementations necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or operations are included or are to be performed in any particular implementation.

Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forth herein will be apparent having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific implementations disclosed and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A batting glove protection device, comprising: a substantially flat gripping layer in the outline of a human hand; and a set of finger tubes, each finger tube attached to a corresponding finger portion of the gripping layer; wherein the batting glove protection device is wearable over a batting glove thereby protecting the batting glove from wear and tear.
 2. The batting glove protection device of claim 1, wherein each of the finger tubes is open ended.
 3. The batting glove protection device of claim 2, wherein each of the finger tubes is open-ended on a topside and a bottom side.
 4. The batting glove protection device of claim 1, wherein the finger tubes are wearable over finger sheaths of the batting glove.
 5. The batting glove protection device of claim 1, wherein a backhand portion of the batting glove is largely exposed when the batting glove protection device is worn over the batting glove.
 6. The batting glove protection device of claim 1, further comprising a strap.
 7. The batting glove protection device of claim 6, wherein the strap includes a fastener.
 8. The batting glove protection device of claim 7, wherein the fastener includes a hook-and-loop fastener.
 9. The batting glove protection device of claim 7, wherein the fastener includes one of a button, a snap button, a zipper, a clip, and a buckle.
 10. The batting glove protection device of claim 1, wherein each of the finger loops is formed from a flat material wherein ends of the flat material are attached to the finger portions forming loops.
 11. The batting glove protection device of claim 1, wherein the glove protection device includes one of leather, synthetic leather, vinyl, and linen.
 12. The batting glove protection device of claim 1, wherein the glove protection device includes an open area between the finger loops and the strap.
 13. A batting glove protection device, comprising: a substantially flat gripping layer having palm, wrist, and finger portions; wherein a set of open-ended finger tubes, each finger tube attached to a corresponding finger portion; wherein the batting glove protection device is wearable over a batting glove thereby protecting the batting glove from wear and tear.
 14. The batting glove protection device of claim 13, wherein each of the finger tubes is open-ended on a topside and a bottom side.
 15. The batting glove protection device of claim 13, wherein a backhand portion of the batting glove is exposed when the batting glove protection device is worn over the batting glove.
 16. The batting glove protection device of claim 13, further comprising a strap.
 17. The batting glove protection device of claim 16, wherein the strap includes a fastener.
 18. The batting glove protection device of claim 17, wherein the fastener includes a hook-and-loop fastener.
 19. The batting glove protection device of claim 17, wherein the fastener includes one of a button, a snap button, a zipper, a clip, and a buckle.
 20. A pair of batting glove protection devices, comprising: a first batting glove protection device, including: a substantially flat first gripping layer in the outline of a left human hand; and a set of first finger tubes, each of the first finger tubes attached to a corresponding first finger portion of the left hand gripping layer; and a second batting glove protection device, including: a substantially flat second gripping layer in the outline of a right human hand; and a set of second finger tubes, each of the second finger tubes attached to a corresponding first finger portion of the right hand gripping layer; wherein the first batting glove protection device and the second batting glove protection device are wearable over a right-hand batting glove and left-hand batting glove, respectively. 